HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Houston Rockets defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-100 on Saturday night at Toyota Center, sweeping the season series between the teams. Houston built a commanding lead with 60 first-half points and maintained a double-digit advantage throughout the second half despite a 37-point fourth quarter from Cleveland. The Rockets improved to 19-10, while the Cavaliers fell to 17-16. Kevin Durant led a balanced Houston attack. Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen, playing in his home state of Texas, was a bright spot for the visitors. The Rockets have now won both meetings this season, having also beaten the Cavaliers in Cleveland last month.

HOUSTON (Interstat) — Kevin Durant scored 30 points in just 29 minutes, and the Houston Rockets methodically dismantled the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-100 on Saturday night at Toyota Center. The Rockets, winning their second straight after a recent skid, never trailed and led by as many as 27 points, allowing Durant and other starters to rest the entire fourth quarter before a crowd of 18,067. The most important stretch of the game came early, as Houston established a commanding lead from which Cleveland never recovered. The Rockets opened the game on a 15-2 run, capitalizing on a flurry of Cavaliers turnovers and missed shots. Durant set the tone, scoring 10 points in the first quarter as Houston built a 32-24 lead. The Cavaliers committed six turnovers in the opening period, which the Rockets converted into easy transition opportunities, stifling any early momentum Cleveland hoped to generate on the road. Houston’s dominance only grew in the second quarter. They extended their lead to 60-46 by halftime, shooting efficiently from the floor and continuing to pressure Cleveland into mistakes. The Rockets’ offensive execution was crisp, particularly from beyond the arc, where they hit 16 of 35 attempts for the game. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers’ offense sputtered, managing just 41 percent shooting from the field and a paltry 11 of 36 from three-point range. The third quarter removed any lingering doubt. Houston outscored Cleveland 30-17, pushing the margin to 90-67. Durant, who added seven assists and four rebounds, capped his night with a steady stream of mid-range jumpers and free throws. The Rockets’ ball movement and defensive intensity overwhelmed the Cavaliers, holding them to their lowest-scoring quarter of the night when the game was still theoretically within reach. Cleveland’s 37-point fourth-quarter outburst came entirely against Houston’s deep reserves, making the final score more respectable but not indicative of the game’s flow. The Cavaliers fell to 17-16 with the loss, while Houston improved to 19-10. Durant led a balanced Rockets attack. Rookie guard Reed Sheppard contributed 18 points and eight assists, showcasing his playmaking alongside the veteran star. Forward Jabari Smith added 15 points and seven rebounds, and guard Amen Thompson filled the stat sheet with 13 points, nine rebounds and four assists. For Cleveland, rookie guard Jaylon Tyson provided a bright spot with a double-double of 23 points and 15 rebounds off the bench. Guard Donovan Mitchell scored 16 points and dished out six assists, and Sam Merrill added 13 points. However, the Cavaliers’ starters struggled collectively, and the team’s 10 assists total underscored their stagnant offensive performance against an active Houston defense. The Rockets’ efficiency was stark. They scored 117 points on just 95 possessions, an elite offensive rating of 123.2, while Cleveland managed exactly 100 points on 100 possessions. Houston also won the battle on the glass, securing 18 offensive rebounds to Cleveland’s 14. The victory completed a regular-season sweep for Houston, which also defeated the Cavaliers in Cleveland on Nov. 19. The Rockets will look to extend their winning streak when they host the Indiana Pacers on Monday. The Cavaliers, concluding a difficult back-to-back after a Christmas Day loss in New York, continue their road trip in San Antonio on Monday.

Preview: Cavaliers at Rockets HOUSTON (Interstat) — A surging Houston Rockets team looks to continue its strong start when it hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers at Toyota Center on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in a matchup featuring two of the league’s premier scorers. The Rockets (18-10) enter with the better record and are coming off a dominant 119-96 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day. Forward Kevin Durant led the way with 25 points, eight assists and two blocks, continuing an efficient stretch where he has averaged 25.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists over his last 10 games. Houston’s supporting cast, including Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun, has provided consistent secondary scoring and playmaking. Cleveland (17-15) arrives after a narrow 126-124 road loss to the New York Knicks on Thursday. The Cavaliers have been inconsistent lately, alternating wins and losses over their past six games. Their fortunes often follow the explosive performances of guard Donovan Mitchell, who is averaging 31.2 points over his last 10 contests. He scored 34 points with seven rebounds and six assists in the Christmas Day defeat, following a 48-point outburst against Washington on Dec. 12. The Rockets won the first meeting this season, 114-104 in Cleveland on Nov. 19. Houston’s defense will aim to contain Mitchell, while the Cavaliers must find an answer for Durant’s versatile scoring. Cleveland’s Evan Mobley and Darius Garland, who had a double-double against New York, will be critical in providing balance. Houston holds a home-court advantage and a slight edge in the standings, but the Cavaliers’ high-powered offense, ranked among the league’s best, ensures a potent showdown. The game tips off at 7 p.m. CST Saturday.